International shipping

[vilkau]

I know eBay says that International Standard Delivery is cheaper than USPS First Class International, but which is best, safer, faster? When you print a label for International Standard Delivery, it does not show the name, address or country of the buyer, so I am afraid it may be delivered to the wrong place or not at all. Any one having experiences with this? Would appreciate a comment.

[buzwards]

Hi!  I've sold a lot of items Internationally over my last 20+ years selling on eBay, and I can tell you that, by far, using eBay's International shipping program is the best way to go.  It takes all the hassle out of the process.  Just list it, check the International shipping program button, and voila!  When your item sells, they take care of everything.  You don't need to worry about what kind of shipping to use, liability, insurance, customs forms, or any of that.  

Try it, you' like it.

Hope this helps.

[teltuooutlet]

We do all of our international shipping through Ebay Global Shipping. Not only is it cheaper, but it also protects you in case it does not reach the customer. As long as you get it to the Ebay distribution center, Ebay will reimburse the customer if anything goes wrong from there. 

We have shipped many international sales this way and we have never had an issue.

[buzwards]

When I say they take care of everything, I mean, all you have to do is package the item and mail it out.

I like it a lot.

[saylesville2003]

I have recently had two negative experiences with Ebay International Shipping. I do not normally provide international shipping options and had two buyers request shipping internationally, one to the UK and one to Canada.  I decided to try Ebay international Shipping for both and will never use it again. The package to the UK was allegedly "undeliverable" according to the carrier in NJ and returned to me. It contained body lotion so it is a mystery, but I refunded the buyer and am still out around $22 shipping charge that was never attempted. 

The second shipment to Canada I actually cannot determine if it was ever delivered. The last scan on 2/14 says arrived at distribution center in Canada and no other entries.  I expected to see a delivery scan but not yet?

While I thought I would try to help out these 2 buyers with items they wanted both experiences have  soured me as a seller & I would not use the International Shipping method again.

[vilkau]

OK, now you have it. Two happy sellers, one unhappy. Still it doesn't put me at ease about using eBay's "special" International Standard Delivery service. Like everything else, you have to decide for yourself, and suffer the consequences.

[vilkau]

Another comment. The strange thing is that eBay will provide a mailing label that does not have your buyer's name and address, but some address here in the US. And you never know how the package is shipped out of the country . If you ship it by First Class International, you know it will be shipped by USPS and then picked up by the Post Office in the country you are shipping to. If you ship it by the eBay Delivery Service, who delivers your package? Without the buyer's name and address and the country it is going to, it may end up in Antarctica or Greenland. I would like to hear more positive comments about the eBay delivery service.

[martin2001]

I have used ebay standard delivery 2x recently. Once about 2 months ago when a buyer from Russia specifically asked me to use it, because if mailed via regular mail (USPS and Russia Post) it will most likely be stolen. The package was delivered successfully in 30 days.

The second was mailed just a few days ago. The buyer did not ask to use ebay but it was an order to Russia so I decided to use it again, as it comes with automatic $100 insurance.

When you print a label, it is similar to a domestic label but has another section at the bottom with the name of the buyer with a reference number and the international tracking number that starts with ESUS and a smaller barcode associated with the number. So logistically to match the package with the new international label is no problem. I also print out the addressee in large letters and paste it on each package.

The international delivery carrier is DHL. The tracking is quite good.

For example if you enter that ESUS number into one of the free tracking sites, you will see this (for the package I mailed on the 17th).

So far my experience is positive.

Estimated date of arrival at the post office

09 Apr 2021 - 15 Apr 2021, 21 - 27 days remaining

The forecast is not 100% certain, and is based on 250 packages delivered in the last 60 days

19 Mar 2021 13:48

Processing at Consolidation Center United States
EasyShip
19 Mar 2021 10:07
Arrived at Consolidation Center. Shipment is being processed. FORDS, NJ, 08863, FORDS

EasyShip
19 Mar 2021 06:59
Out for Delivery FORDS, NJ, 08863, FORDS
EasyShip

19 Mar 2021 06:59
Out for Delivery Expected Delivery by 9:00pm
EasyShip

19 Mar 2021 06:48
Arrived at Post Office PERTH AMBOY, NJ, 08861, PERTH AMBOY
EasyShip

18 Mar 2021 00:00
In Transit to Next Facility
EasyShip

18 Mar 2021 00:00
In Transit Arriving On Time
EasyShip

17 Mar 2021 11:30
USPS picked up item MANASSAS, VA, 20109, MANASSAS
EasyShip
17 Mar 2021 10:29

En route to DHL eCommerce distribution center United States
DHL eCommerce
17 Mar 2021 10:26
Electronic notification received: your order has been processed and tracking will be updated soon United States

[banana*shoe*boutique]

I've been using it for years without a problem.    

[banana*shoe*boutique]

@saylesville2003 

For your Canada sale, there are usually 2 tracking numbers.  Check your tracking and see if there's a dropdown menu with the second number.  Also, eBay will email you when it's delivered

"We are writing to confirm that your transaction through the Global Shipping Program has been successfully delivered by the carrier.

This is a courtesy email only, and no further action is needed."

[banana*shoe*boutique]

Also, the label has a reference code at the bottom of the label which tells eBay whose order this is and where it goes.  The label you use will just be addressed to the Global Shipping Center but if you look down the label further you will see the reference code. 

[martin2001]

PS.here is how the label looks like

[southern*sweet*tea]

**general reply**

I don't use GSP and I don't use Ebay int'l shipping, but I do know there is a difference in both. They are not the same program. I see several references to both.

[pjcdn2005]

That's what I was going to comment on. The op is asking about ebay international standard shipping and many of the posts are referring to how great the global shipping program is which is not the same thing.

@vilkau 

I'm in Canada so I don't use either of those programs however I have read a lot of comments lately about how both of them are slower than usual lately and that tracking is poor.  As a buyer, I would prefer that the item is shipped directly using usps first class but whichever way you decide to offer, please do use the service that you specify on your listing so the buyer knows what to expect. Some sellers specify first class and then use ebay standard int'l which can be slower and in some cases can result in higher fees at the buyers end.

[kamila383]

i have been selling a lot of items to some customers in Mexico using the Global Shipping Progam with no issues during the last 5 years, the average time frame for delivery was 12 to 16 days. 

I started to use the new "Ebay International Shipping"  with the following results:

1. I sent a Victorian Vintage Lamp and the package complied with all the measurements and weight limits.  As soon as it reached the Hub in Chicago, they reimbursed the money to the customer and notified me that the product can't be exported.  After several contacts with customer service NOBODY can give me an explanation of what happened,  I explain that neither me or the customer want the money back, we prefer to receive the item does not matter how much I have to pay for shipping or extra costs.  NOBODY knows where the package is and no further actions will be taken. 

2. Around the same time, I have sent around 10 packages to Mexico in several dates from February 28 to March 3.  The information for all these packages shows estimate delivery sometime between April 6 to April 11 but the tracking does not show any further "movement" of the parcels since March 10, the last information that I have is "customs cleared".  I contacted Customer Service, and NOBODY knows a thing!

I have been informed by my customers in Mexico that unfortunately they can't do more business with me in the future.  Maybe for Ebay is not a great loss but for my little bussiness, this represents a tremendous impact. 

I have an alternate account with still is showing Global Shipping as method of shipping but I have been informed by Ebay representatives that all accounts will be automatically changed to the new system by the end of the month. 

I hope my experience helps to others.